To listen to this homily, click here.
One of the treats we get to enjoy every year in our 50-day easter celebration is hearing some of the stories of life in the early Church. There were some incredible things going on and lots of Holy Spirit moments! For example: there were huge numbers of conversions happening at once (3000 here, 5000 there), as well as impressive healings and evil spirits being cast out. There was a genuine concern among Christians for each other, especially the poor, as many sold all they had and donated it to a common fund so all would have enough for their daily needs. All in all, impressive stuff and an exciting chapter in the life of Christianity.
A mistake we could make however, would be to romanticize the early Church as some sort of Christian utopia. It’s easy to forget how messy this first era really was. For example, there was the early obstacle of the apostles’ doubt and disbelief of the resurrection as well as their fear of being arrested. There was confusion about who could be a Christian, did they have to practice Judaism as well, did the Jewish dietary laws still apply, was Jesus both God and Man and a serious disagreement between Peter and Paul. Not to mention that professing Christianity remained illegal and highly dangerous, even deadly, for the next 300 years!
For sure, the early church was alive but nowhere near perfect. Some of the things that threatened this baby church are non-issues for us while other things they took for granted are issues we have to grapple with and solve in our time. There has never been and never will be a perfect age of Christianity. Each generation of believers will experience new manifestations of the Holy Spirit and different challenges to unity and truth. God is just as present to those who believe in 2019 as he was in the weeks and months following the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Perhaps nowadays we struggle to believe that God still wants to use us as healers, preachers
The Church is always between two points in her history. Both have strengths and weakness; neither is better than the other but is a result of factors in society at any given time and also whats going on in the Church.
The early Church was in what we call “apostolic mode”. That mode is defined by a church that is small, disruptive, and dealing with persecution while being a minority population in the culture where it exists. The danger of apostolic mode is that following Christ is risky and many many people choose not to because of the threat of imprisonment, being ostracized by friends and family, or losing everything in terms of home, livelihood, etc…
As the centuries wore on, the Church shifted to the other side of what we might call “Christendom mode” where it was one of, if not the, dominant forces shaping culture, law, and society. This mode is defined by Christianity being largely accepted and practiced in the areas in this era and the Church is represented by institutions like hospitals, schools, and other visible outreach. The danger of “Christendom mode is complacency. It is no longer much of a choice to follow the basics of Christ and it can be easy to coast along, with little to no fervor or effort. Oftentimes in this era, you see large numbers of people who profess Christ but are essentially “Christian in name only” and over time, when difficulty presents itself or another belief system or philosophy presents itself, many fall away.
For you and me, we are sort of caught in the middle of the two modes. Until the middle of last century, Catholicism was in full Christendom mode. Over the last 50-60 years there has been a slow but definite decline of Christianity in our nation. Even as Americans have gotten more prosperous and even though Catholicism is woven into so many parts of our life (think catholic schools, hospitals, St. Patty’s day, etc…) overall belief and you might even say fervor has gone down.
Is this good or bad? I think it depends on how we look at it. If we have a sense of history, we will keep a healthy perspective. This ebb and flow has been a part of our faith from the very beginning. So real challenges are headed our way. Maybe even persecution and the loss of certain liberties and things we currently enjoy. We are already seeing the end of certain institutions that seemed eternal with the closing of parishes and schools that were once bursting at the seams. But with those challenges come opportunities. Now there is a chance to look at the ways we practice our faith and more easily identify the ministries and priorities that best proclaim the gospel. As some see decline, we can see a chance for renewal, conversion, and a return to the essentials of our faith. In the age of christendom, perhaps we have become a little complacent and attached to things that are good but not best.
Our first reading today helps us by showing what is needed in a time where the church, where our faith is increasingly persecuted, marginalized, ignored. The apostles are not discouraged by these difficulties, even when they are explicitly told to stop talking about Jesus, they do not, they cannot. Because in their bones, they know the truth of the gospel. It's such a part of them that they have to share it for their salvation, but also out of love for others. Can we say the same about our faith right now as I look inward at myself, I have to admit that sometimes I'm afraid of what others might think if I was that committed to the gospel. Or at least, sometimes, even though I absolutely believe Faith in Jesus is right for me, might, I sometimes lack the conviction to offer it to others? Even though the times have changed, that's the truth of Jesus has not we are all still saved in his name, and by his sacrifice.
As our church, and our culture moves into an apostolic age, a time where Christians will be ignored, marginalized, and even persecuted, you and I have the honor and the responsibility to proclaim the gospel fearlessly, confidently, constantly. I never cease to be amazed by the last part of the first reading, where the disciples, rejoice and consider it a privilege to suffer for the sake of Jesus. My prayer today, for you, and for me, is that we would have that same, unshakable, faith and desire to share the good news, and that we would consider it an honor to represent the Lord whether we are praised or persecuted. The only way to renew our culture and our church is to move forward with this holy boldness and courage. May God give it to us now and every day until we meet him face-to-face!
One of the gifts we receive each year during the 50-day celebration of Easter is the chance to hear stories from the life of the early Church. These were incredible, Spirit-filled times! Thousands of conversions happened in a single day—3,000 here, 5,000 there. The apostles were healing the sick, casting out demons, and preaching boldly. There was a deep sense of community among believers: many sold their possessions to care for the poor and ensure everyone had what they needed. These were exciting days—powerful, miraculous, and deeply communal.
But we shouldn't romanticize the early Church as some kind of Christian utopia. The reality was often messy. The apostles themselves doubted the resurrection at first. They hid in fear, afraid of arrest. Early Christians struggled with major questions: Who could be baptized? Did Gentile believers need to follow Jewish laws? Was Jesus truly both God and man? Even Peter and Paul had serious disagreements. And let’s not forget—Christianity was illegal, dangerous, and at times deadly for the first 300 years.
So yes, the early Church was alive—but not perfect. Some of the struggles they faced have faded; others have taken new forms. The truth is, there has never been, and never will be, a “perfect” age of the Church. Every generation of Christians will experience both new outpourings of the Holy Spirit and new challenges to faith, truth, and unity. But the good news is this: God is just as present to His Church now as He was in those first weeks and months after the resurrection.
Historically, the Church has moved between two general modes: apostolic mode and Christendom mode.
The early Church was in apostolic mode: small, on the margins, under pressure. Christians were a minority, facing persecution and social rejection. Following Christ was risky. Many lost their livelihoods, families, and even their lives. But in that vulnerability, faith was strong and fervent.
Eventually, as centuries passed, the Church shifted into Christendom mode—where Christianity became embedded in law, culture, and society. The Church became a central institution, shaping everything from education to healthcare. In many ways, this allowed the gospel to flourish publicly. But the danger of Christendom mode is complacency. When being a Christian becomes the norm, it’s easy to go through the motions without passion or commitment. People become “Christian in name only,” and when challenges arise or new ideologies take root, many fall away.
You and I are living in a moment of transition. For much of the 20th century, especially in countries like ours, Catholicism existed in full Christendom mode. Our institutions were strong: packed churches, booming schools, full seminaries. Catholic identity was culturally reinforced—think of Catholic hospitals, universities, and celebrations like St. Patrick’s Day. But in the last 50–60 years, we’ve seen a gradual but definite shift. Cultural Christianity is declining. Mass attendance is dropping. Parishes and schools are closing.
Is this good or bad? It depends on how we see it.
If we have a sense of history, we’ll recognize this ebb and flow as part of the Church’s story. Every decline carries seeds of renewal. Every challenge holds opportunities for deeper faith. As we move into a more apostolic age—a time when the Church is no longer dominant in culture—we’re being invited to return to the essentials. To rekindle the fire. To proclaim the gospel not because it’s expected, but because it’s true.
Our first reading today reminds us what apostolic boldness looks like. The apostles are warned, threatened, and told to stop preaching in Jesus’ name. But they refuse. They can’t stop. The truth of the resurrection burns in their bones. They’ve encountered the living Christ, and now their lives are dedicated to proclaiming that truth—no matter the cost.
Can we say the same?
I’ll be honest: sometimes I hesitate. Sometimes I worry about what others will think if I speak openly about my faith. I believe in Jesus—deeply—but I don’t always have the courage to offer that faith to others. I’m guessing I’m not alone in that.
But the truth hasn’t changed. Jesus Christ is still Lord. His gospel still saves. And He still sends His Church to proclaim that truth with love and courage.
As we enter more fully into this new apostolic age—an age marked by indifference, resistance, and sometimes even hostility—you and I are called to be missionary disciples. We have the honor and responsibility to proclaim the gospel: fearlessly, confidently, constantly.
What moves me most in today’s reading is the apostles’ reaction to suffering. They rejoiced to be found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of Jesus. That’s not weakness—it’s strength. It’s faith. It’s freedom.
So my prayer for all of us today is this: that we would receive that same boldness. That we would treasure our faith enough to live it fully, share it joyfully, and defend it humbly—even when it costs us something.
May God give us the courage of the apostles, the faith of the martyrs, and the fire of the early Church, so that we may renew our culture and our Church—not by going backward, but by going deeper..